'Diagnosis of Boerhaave's Syndrome With Aid of Bedside Ultrasound

Naillid Felipe; Samantha A King; Alexis Salerno

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.05.017

'Diagnosis of Boerhaave's Syndrome With Aid of Bedside Ultrasound

J Emerg Med. 2021 Nov;61(5):568-573. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.05.017. Epub 2021 Jun 27.

Authors

Naillid Felipe¹, Samantha A King¹, Alexis Salerno²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

PMID: 34193358
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.05.017

Abstract

Background: Boerhaave's syndrome is characterized by transmural rupture of the distal esophagus in the setting of increased intraluminal pressures combined with negative intrathoracic pressure. It is a rare condition with high mortality (20-50% mortality rate).

Case report: This is a case of a 47-year-old man who appeared acutely ill, presenting with shortness of breath, chest and abdominal pain, and diagnosed with Boerhaave's syndrome with the assistance of bedside ultrasound. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians must have a heightened suspicion of this diagnosis in patients presenting with chest and abdominal pain and can use bedside ultrasound skills to aid with diagnosis.

Keywords: Boerhaave's syndrome; pneumomediastinum; pneumoperitoneum; pneumothorax; subcutaneous emphysema; ultrasound.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Esophageal Perforation* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Male
Mediastinal Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
Middle Aged
Rupture, Spontaneous
Ultrasonography

Supplementary concepts

Boerhaave syndrome